Gavin Skelton insisted there was “nothing going on” regarding Owen Moxon after a period of transfer talk around the Carlisle United star.

Midfielder Moxon played in last night’s pre-season friendly at Chorley a day after reports linked him with Blackpool.

Claims that United had knocked back a £250,000 bid were reported by Sky.

Carlisle said they would not comment on “speculation” while assistant manager Skelton, speaking after last night’s 1-1 draw, said all concerned were keeping level heads in the face of the rumours.

“I don’t think anything’s going on,” said Skelton.

“We prepared as we did, Mox trained yesterday as normal, and there’s nothing to report.

“If we were treating him different or worrying about that, there [would be] a bit of a story but there’s no story as far as I’m aware.”

Skelton said 25-year-old Moxon was “absolutely fine” and played down any suggestion the rumours about the Denton Holme star's future could raise the risk of distraction so close to the season

“That’s football isn’t it?” the coach said. “We’ve had it before, and you carry on.

“There’s always rumours and speculation, and if there’s speculation about good players it’s part of the job. Other things you learn with experience not to get too excited [about], and you just carry on.”

Skelton said it had always been the plan for Moxon to play half an hour last night, after he had started and played an hour of Saturday’s game against Newcastle United’s Under-21s

“As far as we know, and like we’ve shown tonight, we carry on as normal,” Skelton said.

“I don’t know anything about it, so it’s exactly the same preparation and plan, and we treat him exactly the same.”